Jan. 10, 2002 – The local chapter of the Women's International Network in Sports is embarking on a project to get St. Thomas girls and boys interested in the game of golf, and it's offering two-hour training sessions Friday through Monday for volunteer golfers who would like to help.
The WINS group is applying to establish a chapter of The First Tee, a division of the World Golf Foundation founded "to impact the lives of young people … by creating affordable and accessible golf facilities to primarily serve those who have not previously had exposure to the game and its positive values."
The First Tee is backed by the PGA of America, Ladies Professional Golf Association, PGA Tour, U.S. Golf Association, the Tiger Woods Foundation and Shell Oil, local WINS organizer Lisa Schmid says. It has more than 100 chapters across the country with outreach to more than 30,000 children.
"Bringing golf to the girls and boys of St. Thomas" will be a collaborative effort of the WINS chapter, Mahogany Run Golf Course, the V.I. Housing Authority, the Weed and Seed program and the Human Services Department's Youth Promotion and Delinquency Prevention program, Schmid says. The project, set to get under way on Jan. 23, will "teach golf skills and life skills and offer mentoring to girls and boys between the ages of 7 and 14" on St. Thomas, she says.
The goal is "to have 1,000 children go through the program" by the end of the year, Schmid says, adding, "We will need help. We need volunteer instructors and mentors to teach during school hours as well as after school."
On Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday, Robert Olson, executive director of The First Tee of Houston, Texas, will offer two-hour "junior golf instructor" clinics at Mahogany Run — Friday 2-4 p.m., Saturday 9-11 a.m., Sunday 1-3 p.m. and Monday 4-6 p.m. Houston's First Tee is the largest in the country with over 4,000 children involved, and it is the most champion-producing inner-city golf program in the nation.
Schmid also invites those interested in volunteering to join those already involved in the program on Monday and Tuesday, "when we teach golf to all children ages 7-14 during P.E. classes" at Ivanna Eudora Kean High School and Addelita Cancryn Junior High School.
Those interested in becoming volunteers, taking part in the clinics and attending the school classes should contact Schmid by calling 774-9467 or e-mailing to Lisa Schmid.
Another way the public can support local junior golf efforts, she says, is by purchasing 2002 USGA "What Is the Ruling? Decisions on the Desk" calendars. These calendars with daily questions and answers about the game make great gifts to help golfers become better by becoming smarter, she says. They sell for $15 in the Mahogany Run Pro Shop and all proceeds will benefit the WINS Giving Girls A Chance After School Golf/Mentoring Program.
Schmid also invites all persons interested in learning more about youth golfing to visit the WINS office at the Mahogany Run Golf Course, meet administrative assistant Josephine Lindquist and "try out the new golf equipment."
The WINS chapter is a Virgin Islands 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization devoted to providing V.I. women and girls "an opportunity to experience the passion, skill and life-long lessons of sports in an all-female supported environment," Schmid says. For additional information, visit the WINS web page.
